Exploring Chronic Pain in Hemodialysis Patients: An Observational Study Based on the New IASP Classification for ICD-11.

Introduction: Pain is one of the most frequently reported symptoms in hemodialyzed (HD) patients, with prevalence rates between 33% and 82%. Risk factors for chronic pain in HD patients are older age, long-lasting dialysis history, several concomitant diseases, malnutrition, and others. However, chronic pain assessment in HD patients is rarely performed by specialists in pain medicine, with relevant consequences in terms of diagnostic and treatment accuracy.

Longitudinal serum bicarbonate and mortality risk in older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: analyses from the EQUAL cohort.

Background: We aimed to explore the relationship between serum bicarbonate (SBC) and mortality in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) during three distinct treatment periods: during the pre-kidney replacement therapy (KRT) period, during the transition phase surrounding the start of KRT (transition-CKD) and during KRT.

Methods: Using the European QUALity Study on treatment in advanced CKD (EQUAL) cohort, which includes patients aged ≥65 years and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤20 mL/min/1.73 m from six European countries, we explored the association between longitudinal SBC and all-cause mortality in three separate CKD populations: pre-KRT, transition-CKD and in the KRT populations, using multivariable time-dependent Cox regression models.

Which Measure of Stone Burden is the Best Predictor of Interventional Outcomes in Urolithiasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis by the YAU Urolithiasis Working Group and EAU Urolithiasis Guidelines Panel.

Background And Objective: Stone size has traditionally been measured in one dimension. This is reflected in most of the literature and in the EAU guidelines. However, recent studies have shown that multidimensional measures provide better prediction of outcomes.

Development and evaluation of a kidney health questionnaire and estimates of chronic kidney disease prevalence in the Cooperative Health Research in South Tyrol (CHRIS) study.

Background: Kidney diseases are a public health burden but are poorly investigated in the general population. In light of inadequate survey tools, we developed a novel questionnaire for use in population-based studies, to retrospectively assess kidney diseases.

Methods: The questionnaire covered general kidney diseases, reduced kidney function, and renal surgeries.

Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) Technology for Bone Health Status Evaluation in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

: A significant loss in bone density and strength occurs during the post-renal-transplant period with higher susceptibility to fracture. The study aims to compare the performance of the Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the bone mineral density assessment with the conventional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a cohort of kidney transplant recipients (KTR). : A cohort of 40 patients underwent both DXA and REMS examinations on the lumbar spine and/or proximal femur.

Improving the Annotation Process in Computational Pathology: A Pilot Study with Manual and Semi-automated Approaches on Consumer and Medical Grade Devices.

The development of reliable artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in pathology often depends on ground truth provided by annotation of whole slide images (WSI), a time-consuming and operator-dependent process. A comparative analysis of different annotation approaches is performed to streamline this process. Two pathologists annotated renal tissue using semi-automated (Segment Anything Model, SAM)) and manual devices (touchpad vs mouse).

The relationship between serum potassium levels and cardiac arrhythmias in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients: a comprehensive analysis and prognostic evaluation.

Background: This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the relationship between serum potassium (K) levels and the risk of de novo cardiac arrhythmias in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study using the INTERMACS registry. Data was collected on adult patients with available K measurements taken 1-month post-LVAD implantation.

Intradialytic serum phosphate variations are associated with low PTH levels.

Background: Numerous studies have explored the role of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in phosphorus (P) control among prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, whether the reduction of P achieved during KRT affects parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels is still a matter of debate.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on the prevalent HD population at the Division of Nephrology, University Hospital of Verona, from January to December 2022.

Clinical and Economic Impact of Early Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease in General Practice: The Endorse Study.

Introduction: The underdiagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a significant public health concern. The Early chroNic kiDney disease pOint of caRe Screening (ENDORSE) project aimed to evaluate the clinical and economic implications of a targeted training intervention for general practitioners (GPs) to enhance CKD awareness and early diagnosis.

Methods: Data on estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and Urinary Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (uACR) were collected by 53 Italian GPs from 112,178 patients at baseline and after six months.

Bone mineral density assessment in patients with cystinuria.

Background: Cystinuria is a rare genetic disease characterized by impaired tubular transport of cystine. Clinical features of cystinuria mainly include nephrolithiasis and its complications, although cystinuric patients may present with other comorbidities. There are currently no data on bone features of patients with cystinuria.

Arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk in patients with nephrolithiasis: a 10-year prospective study.

Background: Nephrolithiasis is frequently associated with cardiovascular diseases. These conditions present common risk factors: systemic inflammation that promotes oxidative stress leading to arterial wall stiffening may also play a role in plaque formation predisposing to nephrolithiasis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate arterial stiffness indices at baseline and after a 10-year follow-up, in patients with nephrolithiasis compared with patients without.

Digital pathology structure and deployment in Veneto: a proof-of-concept study.

Nowadays pathology laboratories are worldwide facing a digital revolution, with an increasing number of institutions adopting digital pathology (DP) and whole slide imaging solutions. Despite indeed providing novel and helpful advantages, embracing a whole DP workflow is still challenging, especially for wide healthcare networks. The Azienda Zero of the Veneto Italian region has begun a process of a fully digital transformation of an integrated network of 12 hospitals producing nearly 3 million slides per year.

Long-Term Bone Mineral Density Changes in Kidney Transplant Recipients Treated with Denosumab: A Retrospective Study with Nonequivalent Control Group.

Data on the effectiveness of denosumab on osteoporosis after kidney transplantation are limited. We investigated the long-term bone mineral density (BMD) changes in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) treated with denosumab compared to untreated KTRs. We enrolled KTRs treated with denosumab 60 mg/6 months for 4 years.

[Peritoneal Dialysis Network in North-East Italy: Survey About the Peritoneal Catheter Exit-Site Infection Management and Comparison with ISPD Guidelines].

The Triveneto Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Network aims to bring together doctors and nurses who deal with PD in a collaborative network in which to exchange mutual knowledge and optimize the use of this method of replacing renal function. A topic of particular interest was the management of peritoneal catheter exit-site infection, given the recent publication of the new guidelines of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD). The survey concerned the criteria for carrying out nasal swab and exit-site, management of exuberant granulation tissue "Proud Flesh", treatment of exit-site infection (ESI), use of silver dressings, the role of subcutaneous tunnel ultrasound and cuff shaving.

XMEA: A New Hybrid Diamond Multielectrode Array for the In Situ Assessment of the Radiation Dose Enhancement by Nanoparticles.

This work presents a novel multielectrode array (MEA) to quantitatively assess the dose enhancement factor (DEF) produced in a medium by embedded nanoparticles. The MEA has 16 nanocrystalline diamond electrodes (in a cell-culture well), and a single-crystal diamond divided into four quadrants for X-ray dosimetry. DEF was assessed in water solutions with up to a 1000 µg/mL concentration of silver, platinum, and gold nanoparticles.

Sex differences in chronic kidney disease-related complications and mortality across levels of glomerular filtration rate.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing global health concern. Recent research has indicated sex disparities in CKD-related complications, yet the impact of sex differences on critical kidney function levels that trigger these complications and mortality remains inadequately documented.

Methods: We investigated sex-specific disparities in CKD-related complications and mortality according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels.

Follow-up of urolithiasis patients after treatment: an algorithm from the EAU Urolithiasis Panel.

Objective: To develop a follow-up algorithm for urinary stone patients after definitive treatment.

Materials And Methods: The panel performed a systematic review on follow-up of urinary stone patients after treatment (PROSPERO: CRD42020205739). Given the lack of comparative studies we critically evaluated the literature and reached a consensus on the follow-up scheme.

Benchmarking digital displays (monitors) for histological diagnoses: the nephropathology use case.

Aim: The digital transformation of the pathology laboratory is being continuously sustained by the introduction of innovative technologies promoting whole slide image (WSI)-based primary diagnosis. Here, we proposed a real-life benchmark of a pathology-dedicated medical monitor for the primary diagnosis of renal biopsies, evaluating the concordance between the 'traditional' microscope and commercial monitors using WSI from different scanners.

Methods: The College of American Pathologists WSI validation guidelines were used on 60 consecutive renal biopsies from three scanners (Aperio, 3DHISTECH and Hamamatsu) using pathology-dedicated medical grade (MG), professional grade (PG) and consumer-off-the-shelf (COTS) monitors, comparing results with the microscope diagnosis after a 2-week washout period.

Residents' satisfaction and suggestions to improve nephrology residency in Italy, and comparison with the organization in other European countries.

Background: In Italy, nephrology residency is available in twenty-one nephrology schools, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The present study is aimed at exploring the residents' satisfaction with their training programs.

Methods: Between April 20th and May 19th, 2021, a questionnaire on residency satisfaction consisting of 49 items was sent to 586 residents and 175 recently certified specialists (qualified to practice as nephrologists in 2019 and 2020), with a response rate of 81% and 51%, respectively.

Physical activity and exercise programs for kidney patients: an Italian survey of nephrology centres.

Background: Data on exercise activities in place, and on the interest for developing them in Nephrology Services in Italy is limited. To address this gap, we carried out this cross-sectional study to investigate the status of physical activity and exercise programs available in Italian Nephrology Centres. Additionally, research priorities on this topic were examined.